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Microsoft reveals details on Windows 10 editions

While Microsoft has still not revealed an exact launch date for Windows 10, we know the update is set to release this summer. We also learned that Window 10 Insider Preview users will be able to upgrade directly to the RTM for free, as long as they had a valid Windows 8 or Windows 7 license. Today Microsoft has also revealed the editions of Windows 10 that will be available at launch for compatible hardware.

Windows 10 has always been touted as an OS meant to power a broad range of devices including PCs, tablets, mobile phones and much more, as Microsoft aims to deploy Windows 10 as an evolving service.

For this release, there will be a total of 7 different versions of Windows 10, each aimed at a different type of user. Microsoft has categorized these versions as follows:

Windows 10 Home

Offering a familiar experience for PCs and tablets, this build of Windows 10 will be available on most consumer-focused devices. Features like Cortana, the new Microsoft Edge browser, Continuum tablet mode, Windows Hello face-recognition will all be available in this edition.

Windows 10 Pro

In addition to sporting all the features found in the Home edition, the Pro variant will carry business specific extras such as connecting to domains, extra security, and most importantly, will take advantage of Windows Update for Business.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Building on the Pro edition, Enterprise carries support for medium to large sized corporations, by introducing some very advanced functions including comprehensive support for operating system deployment on a large scale and better data and app management. Enterprise customers will also have access to the Long Term Servicing Branch.

Windows 10 Education

This edition carries all functions of Enterprise, and adds features designed to meet the needs of schools and colleges. According to Microsoft: “This edition will be available through academic Volume Licensing.”

Windows Phone is now Windows 10 Mobile, as Microsoft changes the name of its mobile OS. This edition will be deployed on small tablets and mobile devices, and will be bundled with “new universal Windows apps that are included in Windows 10 Home, as well as the new touch-optimized version of Office.” Some new devices will also be able to take advantage of Continuum for Phones.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise

Akin to Windows 10 Mobile, the Mobile Enterprise edition is designed with business customers in mind on smartphones and tablets. Microsoft says that this particular release will be available to their Volume Licensing customers.

Windows 10 IoT Core

This release is meant for smaller devices like gateways. A version of Windows 10 IoT Core Insider Preview was just recently tested running on the Raspberry Pi 2.

Previously, Microsoft claimed that in order to push Windows 10 out to as many users as they could, they would offer the upgrade to non-licenced Windows 7 and Windows 8 (8.1) users for free. At this time however, the company is saying that: “we are offering the full versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Pro as a free and easy upgrade for qualifying Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year after launch.”

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